Dr. Liu is a member of the Division of Experimental Pathology (part-time) and a member of the Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Training Program. He is also a visiting professor at the Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China.
Studies in Dr. Liu's laboratory are focused on dissecting the cellular and molecular pathways leading to chronic renal fibrosis, and exploring novel strategies for therapeutic interventions. Using a series of experimental approaches, we are addressing several fundamental issues in renal fibrosis, such as what types of cells produce a large amount of matrix proteins under pathologic conditions and how they are regulated. Current studies in our laboratory include: 1) to decipher the mechanisms controlling tubular epithelial-mesenchymal cross-talks (EMC) in renal fibrogenesis; 2) to dissect several key signal pathways such as Wnt/beta-catenin and hedgehog in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis; 3) to elucidate the patho-mechanisms of podocyte injury and proteinuria; 4) to develop novel therapeutic strategies aimed at ameliorating renal fibrosis and kidney dysfunction.
NIH Research
View Dr. Liu's NIH RePORT on nih.gov.
View Dr. Liu's publications on PubMed.
- Zhou D, Tian Y, Sun L, Zhou L, Xiao L, Tan RJ, Tian J, Fu H, Hou FF, and Liu Y. 2017. Matrix metalloproteinase-7 is a urinary biomarker and pathogenic mediator of kidney fibrosis. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 28: 598-611. Featured on JASN cover
- Fu H, Tian Y, Zhou L, Zhou D, Tan RJ, Stolz DB, and Liu Y. 2017. Tenascin-C is a major component of the fibrogenic niche in kidney fibrosis. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 28: 785-801. Featured on JASN This Month's Highlights. Featured on Faculty of 1000 Prime.
- Zhou D, Fu H, Zhang L, Zhang K, Min Y, Xiao L, Lin L, Bastacky SI, and Liu Y. 2017. Tubule-derived Wnts are required for fibroblast activation and kidney fibrosis. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 28: 2322-2336. Featured on Faculty of 1000 Prime.
- Li Z, Zhou L, Wang Y, Miao J, Hong X, Hou FF, and Liu Y. 2017. (Pro)renin receptor is an amplifier of the Wnt/?-catenin signaling in kidney injury and fibrosis. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 28: 2393-2408. Featured on JASN This Month's Highlights.
- Mo H, Wu Q, Miao J, Luo C, Hong X, Wang Y, Tang L, Hou FF, Liu Y, Zhou L. 2017. C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 plays a crucial role in mediating oxidative stress-induced podocyte injury. Antioxid Redox Signal 27: 345-362.
- Cao W, Li A, Li J, Wu C, Cui S, Zhou Z, Liu Y, Wilcox CS, Hou FF. 2017. Reno-cerebral reflex activates renin-angiotensin system promoting oxidative stress and renal damage after ischemia-reperfusion injury. Antioxid Redox Signal 27: 415-432.
- Yang X, Chen C, Teng S, Fu X, Zha Y, Liu H, Wang L, Tian J, Zhang X, Liu Y, Nie J, and Hou FF. 2017. Urinary matrix metalloproteinase-7 predicts severe AKI and poor outcomes after cardiac surgery. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 28: 3373-3382.
- Cao W, Cui S, Yang L, Wu C, Liu J, Yang F, Liu Y, Bin J, Hou FF. 2017. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for assessing renal perfusion impairment and predicting acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease progression. Antioxid Redox Signal 27: 1397-1411.
- Zhou D, Fu H, Xiao L, Mo H, Zhuo H, Tian X, Lin L, Xing J, Liu Y. 2018. Fibroblast-specific ?-catenin signaling dictates the outcome of acute kidney injury. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 29: 1257-1271.
- Choi YJ, Zhou D, Barbosa AC, Xu M, Ren S, Nolin TD, Liu Y, Xie W. 2018. Activation of constitutive androstane receptor ameliorates renal ischemia-reperfusion induced kidney and liver injury. Mol. Pharmacol. 93: 239-250.
- Luo C, Zhou S, Zhou Z, Liu Y, Yang L, Liu J, Zhang Y, Li H, Liu Y, Hou FF, and Zhou L. 2018. Wnt9a promotes renal fibrosis through accelerating cellular senescence in tubular epithelial cells. J. Am. Soc. Nephrol. 29: 1238-1256.
- Bai X, Li X, Tian J, Xu L, Wan J, and Liu Y. 2018. A new model of diabetic nephropathy in C57BL/6 mice challenged with advanced oxidation protein products. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 118: 71-84.